Cardinals’ Monti Ossenfort needs another diamond in the rough this NFL trade deadline
In the Arizona Cardinals' quest to turn things around in 2025, adding a reinforcement this NFL trade deadline is an avenue that should be explored.
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Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort hasn’t stood pat when it comes to the NFL trade deadline.
In each of his first two seasons in Arizona, he cooked up a deal, whether it be adding draft capital or talent.
This year shouldn’t be any different, with the Cardinals staring at a 2-5 record as trade chatter heats up less than a week from Tuesday’s deadline. Just look at the pair of trades New England made Tuesday night and what Philadelphia reportedly did on Wednesday.
If the Cardinals are going to dig themselves out of the hole they’re in, getting in on the trade deadline chaos is a must.
And it’s on Ossenfort to prove last year’s addition wasn’t a one-off, which could be just what the Cardinals need to right the ship with 10 games left and playoff hopes dimming with every loss.
Ossenfort took a chance on an underutilized pass rusher out of Denver and hit the mark last year.
Yes, it took some time to get his bearings, but Baron Browning has been well worth the 2025 sixth-round pick Arizona dished out for his services around this time last year in a trade with the Broncos.
Rounding out Arizona’s starting pass-rushing duo with Josh Sweat, Browning sits second on the team in quarterback pressures with 19 to go along with three tackles for loss, a pair of sacks, an interception, a pass defensed and five QB hits in seven games this season.
He’s got a legit sack celebration, too.
“He understands the defense better. He’s a smart guy, so I’m not saying he didn’t understand, but just the know-knowing everything that’s going on and what we’re looking for from him,” head coach Jonathan Gannon said last month.
Re-signing with the Cardinals last offseason on a two-year deal that could reach up to $19 million, Browning’s production so far has outweighed the price tag.
Can Ossenfort double down in 2025 and find another diamond in the rough?
If he does — potentially in the offensive tackle, tight end, wide receiver or running back department — it could pay dividends the rest of the way, especially with Arizona getting healthier by the week.
After all, the common phrase of the franchise throughout most of the year has been “we’re close.” Maybe some new blood is exactly the type of boost this team needs to truly get over the hump.
At the very least, a win-now type of move would signal there’s still plenty of confidence in this year’s team while boosting the morale that’s been leaking during Cardinals’ five-game skid
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Comments
18 Comments
It’s way too little, way tooooo late!!
We sit at 2 - 5 and have THE toughest remaining 10 games,.. As in we are 1st with the hardest remaining schedule!!
The time to have acted was in the weeks 3-4 range.. Ya know, we were only down our top 5 Corners and Top 3 RBs!
Instead Monti felt it best to rely on practice squad players!
And this is exactly where Monti MUST own why we are here.. 1st Petz needed to be gone, or at least have play call duties removed.. 2nd, had a move just like the Rams made for Mccreary..
A move like this or a savy vet like Gilmore could’ve made all the difference.
When a team loses 5 in a row, by 4 or less and 3 being game winning FGs- you really are a player away from being all the difference..
Except we did nothing.. Zero, Zip, Nada.. Which sends 2 messages.. No accountability and the program isn’t worth investing in!
When Barron Browning is your crown jewel for your trading acumen...
Solid player, but come on now.
Are you kidding me? It's been enough time! The Cardinals need a lot more than one diamond in the rough. They need a re-vamped franchise. What a nightmare this has become with no relief in sight.